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Though the classification of this order is far from satisfactory and 
probably will eventually have to be revised, American practice divides our 
species into three suborders: Sarcorhamphi, the American Vultures, distinct 
from those of the Old World; Falcones, the Diurnal Birds of Prey; and 
Striges, the Nocturnal Birds of Prey or Owls. 
Economic Status. Perhaps no birds are better known and at the same 
time so generally misunderstood in their economic relations as these. 
All know of the Hawks, Owls, and Eagles and their flesh-eating propensities, 
but few realize that amongst them are some of man’s best friends and that 
the popular policy of killing them on sight is a mistaken one. Some do 
considerable damage, but to include all in the condemnation merited by 
the few is a grave economic error. The first family, the Vultures, are 
repulsive birds, but as scavengers entirely useful, and no valid complaint 
can be lodged against them. Of the other two divisions, the diurnal and 
nocturnal rapaces, their varying status is the cause of much misconception. 
Fortunately in regard to these birds we can speak with authority based 
upon actual data and not mere speculation. The United States Biological 
Survey made a thorough study of the food habits of American Hawks and 
Owls, basing its conclusions upon the examination of some 2,700 stomachs 
taken in all seasons of the year in various parts of the United States and 
Canada. The whole is embodied, with the data for its substantiation, 
in a report, ‘“‘The Hawks and Owls of the United States” by Dr. A. K. 
Fisher,! though compiled in and for an adjoining country all Canadian 
species are treated and the results are as applicable to Canada as to the 
United States. As some of the less harmful species do not occur in Canada 
the percentages below will have to be slightly corrected for our use, but not 
seriously enough to perceptibly modify the general conclusions. Only 
six of the seventy-three species studied are injurious. Of these, three are 
extremely rare in Canada and one is altogether a fish-eater. Of the re- 
mainder, 56 per cent of the stomachs examined contained mice and other 
small mammals, 27 per cent insects, and only 33 per cent poultry or game 
birds. Dividing the raptorial birds of eastern Canada into groups ac- 
cording to their economic status we find that three species are wholly 
beneficial and absolutely harmless; sixteen are mainly beneficial, doing 
decidedly more good than harm; four are about balanced in their effect; 
and six are positively harmful. Only three of these latter are common 
enough to warrant consideration and only two, the Sharp-shinned and 
Cooper’s Hawks, numerous enough in the thickly settled communities to 
be noticed. The Goshawk is a more northern species whose distribution 
overlaps the edges of settlement on the north. What can be regarded 
as a just balance between good and evil is difficult to decide; the loss 
of a chicken is definite, easily estimated in value; the absence of the 
mice and insects taken by a predaceous bird is a vague benefit that is 
difficult of realization or appreciation. 
SUBORDER—SARCORHAMPHI. AMERICAN VULTURES. 
This suborder is composed of the American Vultures which are sys- 
tematically quite distinct from those of the Old World. One family only 
is represented in Canada, Cathartide the Turkey Vultures. Vultures 
1See also ‘‘ The Hawks of the Canadian prairie provinces in their relation to agriculture,’’ 
Geol. Surv., Can., Mus. Bull. 28, 1918. 
OO ns 
